Blog is a little late today for two reasons… One, Mark did a great job of chronicling yesterday, and two, the boys left early this morning on an ULTIMATE JET SKI ADVENTURE!!!
We were picked up in the bus just after 8am, and after picking up two more couples from other resorts around Airlie, headed to the mariner to gear and be be briefed. While signing our life away (don’t you love indemnity forms), the operators discovered that the Indian couple, dressed as if they were going to the movies, actually couldn’t swim!!! Now seriously, why would you book into a jet ski tour if you couldn’t swim?? They even indicated that if they fell off in the water wearing a life jacket they wouldn’t be comfortable enough to climb back on without panicking????
Bizarre!!
Anyway, they headed back to the bus, we headed for the water. I was a little relieved they made that call, cause we don’t want any non-confident riders slowing us down!
Geared up, we jumped on a jet ski for a quick driving instruction, then slowly headed for the mouth of the mariner. We almost made it too, but the leader got the call over the radio that Mark and Mattie’s jet ski had a broken engine mount, so we had to wait while they another out to us. A quick jump on to a new ski and we were off.
Whoosh…. jumping across the small half metre swell at 50-60kms per hour. Zac was cheering and laughing as we cut across the waves. This is good fun!
First stop was a 3 mast sailing ship wreck that had been blown into shore during one of the recent cyclones. We all paused in front of the ship for a photo before slowly motoring over to visit the green back turtles. Switching off the ski’s we floated in the water as the turtles came up for breath around us.
There was a swirl of mud in the water, then a head poked out as they surfaced out of the muddy weed gardens for air. One surfaced right in the middle of the ski’s, looked around realised were were there then quickly and madly swam back under the water. Was very funny.
We stopped here for about 15 mins before heading over to the next point (forgot its name). This was fun as we got a little further out to sea, and managed a few jumps at top speed over the swell. Zac holding on for dear life behind me was having a ball, especially as we weaved left and right through the waves. At times we would dig in a little too deep sending a spray of refreshing water over the top of us.
Zac and I were first in line for most of the trip, but at one stage we fell in behind Mark and Matt. Now the instructor had been clear at the start of the trip to stay in his white water… the trail left behind his ski, as he would find the safest route around obstacles. Mark, bored by the slower riders in front started weaving side to side within the widening trail. What this meant was by the time it came to me, the trail was so twisty that we could barely stay on track!
Zac and I trying to stay within the trail fell further and further behind before I realised what was going on, and we made a high speed bee-line cutting trough the twisty mess. Of course I got my own back as after the next stop, Mark and I switched places and it was my turn to leave a twisty mess for him… LOL he said at one stage it looked like I had done a figure 8!!! I did make it super bad on purpose!!
Don’t worry, it was all just good fun and we made sure we were safe at all times Mum…
The tour was only an hour and half long (way too short), and as we slowly motored into the mariner, Mark, Matt, Zac and I all decided we needed to buy Jet Ski’s when we get home. Not sure how Kate and Fi will feel about this, but I’m sure they will come around eventually!!! What do they say… sometimes it is easier to say sorry :p
We had an awesome time, and the boys want to come back and do the longer 4 hour trek across to DayDream island another day… we will see….we will see.
All the photo’s from our adventure will be on Facebook later, so will add a link once they are up there.
Back at the Caravan, we met Kate and Fiona who had had a nice relaxing massage around the pool (see we are good husbands aren’t we), while the girls all had a ball making candles in kids club. Having a bite to eat for lunch right now before the girls head back to Kids Club for the arvo session to make frames.
Guess the rest of us will just have to head for the pool. Only other important decision to cover off today is what fantastic family tour will we do tomorrow?
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